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How is the treatment of thyroid cancer?

Treatment of thyroid cancer depends on its type and stage. The likelihood of full recovery is large enough when properly drafted terms and timeliness of the process.

Treatment methods depending on the type of tumor

Treatment of papillary thyroid cancer and follicular carcinomas includes the following procedures:

  • thyroidectomy (removal of organ);
  • exposure to radioactive iodine (for the elimination of surviving after surgery of cancer cells).

radioterapiyaTreatment of medullary carcinoma involves the removal of not only thyroid, but also a nearby lymph nodes. Therapy with radioactive iodine ineffective. In the fourth stage of this cancer all treatments are aimed at slowing the destructive process.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is detected, usually too late. The cancerous cells have metastasized to other organs. Because the main methods of treatment – radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The main methods of treatment of thyroid cancer

1. Thyroidectomy.

Partial or total removal of the organ. The volume of surgical intervention depends on the following factors:

  • cancer;
  • size;
  • the presence of metastases.

Surgery for cancer of the thyroid gland is performed under General anesthesia. Subsequently, on the neck there is a small scar. For some time the patient feels pain in the throat. Appears hoarseness, temporary or permanent.

After the surgery is indicated as hormone replacement therapy, which helps to compensate for the lack of thyroid hormones. To control the level of hormones the patient needs to regularly do a blood test. Sometimes the first time fails to find the right dose of compensating drugs. Symptoms of hypothyroidism:

  • dryness of the skin;
  • the increase of body weight;
  • decreased performance;
  • fatigue.

With an overdose of hormones symptoms such as:

  • weight loss;
  • diarrhea;
  • hyperactivity.

When the dose of synthetic hormones will be regulated, all unpleasant effects should disappear.

2. Treatment with radioactive iodine.

Is administered after surgery. About a month before the start of treatment the patient should stop taking the hormones. Because you can resume the unpleasant symptoms.

Radioactive iodine the patient takes in the form of capsules or liquid. By doing through the bloodstream to the cells of the thyroid gland, iodine destroys cancer cells. Side effects are rare. It can be

  • pain;
  • swelling of the throat;
  • the feeling of compression;
  • temperature rise;
  • dryness in the mouth;
  • a change of taste.

After a few days unpleasant sensations are.

For some time prior to treatment with radioactive iodine, the patient needs to follow a particular diet, which involves the rejection

  • seafood, sea salt;
  • dairy products;
  • foods containing E127.

That is, everything that contains a lot of iodine. It is recommended to eat plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, rice.

3. Radiotherapy.

External exposure to radioactive radiation. Used in the later stages of thyroid cancer. The number of courses and duration of effects depend on the type of tumor, its aggressiveness. Possible side effects:

  • fatigue;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • painful swallowing;
  • dry mouth.

After treatment side effects for two to three weeks pass.

4. Chemotherapy.

Used to treat anaplastic thyroid cancer, metastezirovaniu to other organs. The method is based on the introduction of tumor drugs that killtumor cells. Chemotherapy can hardly be called a radical cure. It alleviates the symptoms, slows the development of cancer.

Common side effects:

  • loss of appetite;
  • hair loss;
  • the malfunction of various organs and systems of the body;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • decreased performance;
  • ulcers in the mouth;
  • increased susceptibility to infections.

In recent years there has been much research on the implementation in practice of treatment of thyroid cancer new methods.